COME and SEE by Gabrielle Low

On 30th November 2007, Betty and Carol arrived from Singapore with The Big Books and much looked forward goodies for us. We checked them into one of the rooms at the service apartment (instead of the regular hotel) through the kindness of the Manager, Mr. Lu. Thus, we were all under "one" roof.   

Instead of a (cut and dry) itinerary, we 'played it by ear'. Hence, we were surprised by the unfolding of each day. Instead of visiting the usual sights such as the Killing Fields, The Royal and Silver Palaces, Betty and Carol pitched in on the DIY Advent Wreath. They also helped to pack and sort the stuff that was brought over from Singapore to be distributed.

DIY Advent WREATH

Sorting Out the goodies

On Sunday, we had a sumptuous Dim Sum Breakfast before setting out to visit the Sisters of the Missionary of Charity (Chom Chao) in two cars. We just could not find the gate and went on into the next province. It was then one of the cars broke down and all six of us had to be squeezed into one car! We all arrived very late at the MC. It was supposed to be a typical visit to the Home instead of an adventure.   As someone once said, 'the moment you put one foot out of the door is an adventure in itself'. We were given a quick tour of the place (appointment for the visit was three hours earlier). We also had a lightning visit to the Brothers of the Missionary of Charity. It was very heartwarming to see how endearing Vincent, our neighbor and friend from Taiwan, was to the kids. It was noticeable that they lack a male figure in their lives, thus the children kept wanting him to swing them high up in the air! Peter, 23 years old, and blind because of an accident and left to die at the MC Brothers was also entranced with him.

Betty at the MC Home, giving out candies

Vincent with the children at the MC Home (Sisters)

Vincent with Peter (middle) and Br. Sebastian, MC

Group with Sr. Lily (Superior of the House) and Sr. Karol (SIN)

In the evening, Betty and Carol joined us at the Novena community instead of more shopping. We had our First Advent mass as a community and celebrated Fr. Denis Carries's (SME) birthday too. The following evening they followed Frances to her class on "the strategies of teaching Catechism."

Mass and Birthday Celebration

'Catechism' at the Student Center

On 4th December 2007, The Newn Family Simon, Priscilla, Marc and Anne arrived. I went to pick them up at the bus station as they came in via Saigon. The Newn family has been kind to bring in six boxes of stuff for us, including a 15kg bag of stuff toys, which were for the Christmas gifts. (It was good to have met up with Simon Newn in person, as we had been corresponding about 6 weeks prior to their arrival, thus he was not a stranger).

The following morning, we visited the Saint Vincent De Paul Centre in PoChengTong Industrial zone run by the Daughters of Charity, then the Jesuit Service in Banteay Prieb. In the late afternoon, we popped into the Home of the Missionary of Charity (Monivong Blvd).

We went up to Siem Reap on the 6th and the group visited Angkor Wat, the Artisans Angkor and the 'markets'!   In the evening, we went and tried out the "four hands" massage at the massage parlour (what is four hands massage? It is just two people massaging you at the same time!).  Besides visiting the touristy places, the group also visited the Catholic Church in town. We attended morning mass at SASV as it was the Feast of the Immaculate Conception and it turned out to be their house blessing too.  Hence, after mass we headed swiftly to the hotel for our breakfast, even though it would have been lovely to accept Sr. Louise Lafontaine's invitation to have breakfast and get to know them and their ministry. 

After a good breakfast, we were ready to see if our feet were sea-worthy and headed out to the Floating Village and the Floating Church.

On the way to Battambang from Siem Reap, we experienced a beautiful sunset along the way and thus it was late in the evening when we arrived. The next morning, Fr. Totet Banaynal, SJ invited us to have breakfast at the parish house before mass. A generous spread and the warm hospitality started our stay in Battambang.

After mass, we went to Ta Pung Village and in the afternoon we journeyed to Tahen village. We shared with the villages the Big Books, as well as some of the stuff toys and clothes that were brought in. At Tapung Village, we visited the house with the repaired roof that one of our Singapore friends had sponsored. The youth contributed the labor. It was heartwarming to see the paralyzed owner and his wife being protected from the elements. We also visited the DON BOSCO Center for girls.   It was astounding to see how three sisters run the center of 60 young adults like a "first world" boarding school. 

We headed back to Phnom Penh a day earlier than scheduled as Betty and Carol were like ants on a hot stove as they were very apprehensive about missing their flight. Thus, on the last day of their visit, it was shopping and more shopping!

On the other hand, the Newn family had a few more days in Phnom Penh and they took it 'free and easy' after the "hectic" schedule in Siem Reap. It was great to know that what Simon and Priscilla set out to do for their children, that is to give them an alternative experience, was "achieved".   Anne was very taken up with a little boy in the home of the MC's and visited the child and the children everyday for their remaining stay. 

In their very own words as they summed up their "COME and SEE"

"I find the trip exciting. I especially find the visit to MC was eye opening, seeing all the young boys and girls abandoned by their parents and only the sisters to look after them."   - Anne Newn

"Very enjoyable trip. Especially the grains!" (Not wasting rice as Marc comes to know how hard the farmers worked) -Marc Newn

"I find the trip very helpful for the kids that there is a different world altogether away from electronic system." -   Priscilla Newn 

"This trip is more for the two young man and woman to see how the people in the third world or rather unfortunate people live. It was indeed refreshing to observe that they have taken on board the real reason of this trip.  Overall very enlightening. And I am sure they have gained tremendously from both yourselves (Frances) and Gabby." – Simon Newn

"Gabby, Frances and Theresa were extremely warm and caring hosts.  The itinerary to the various centers and places of interest covered a wide spectrum of the plight of many young and marginalized Khmers.   My heartfelt thanks to my three dear friends and hosts who had made my stay in Cambodia an unforgettable one.  Gabby's bubbly character and strong sense of responsibility reflects the true meaning of unconditional love. Thank you and God Bless." -   Betty Tan

"Although one may be poor and unfortunate, he/she still has his/her dignity and independence in each own way. This trip has shown me how great and loving the Good Lord is to me. He is constantly loving and guiding me.  I am counting my Blessings... " - Caroline Lee